(Leadership Training Event is an annual training for ministry leaders hosted by Volunteers In Service and CR Home Missions)
The months of planning, organizing and preparing are complete. Volunteers arrive ready to serve and wait with eager anticipation. There is nothing left to do but pray and wait. The anticipation builds as the time draws near for the doors to be unlocked and the attendees to arrive. Standing in the quiet of the moment just before the first arrival I’m overcome by feelings of comfort knowing that it’s God’s night. It’s Him that we praise, it’s Him that we serve and it’s Him that we give all the honor and glory. It’s through Him and by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our heart that we are able to share the gospel with each other. That’s exciting!
Moments later, the doors open and the sound of voices interrupt the silence felt only minutes before. People approach the doors; some wearing frowns, some seemingly deep in thought and some looking a bit anxious. Experiences of the day come along as people approach. Serving as a greeter, it’s a delight to observe the change in facial expression once the doors open and the sound of excited voices and laughter spill out and pour over those entering. Brothers and sisters in Christ enthusiastically greet each other with hand shakes and hugs, flooding the air with a contagious feeling of love and joy.
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][wppa type=”slideonlyf” album=”5″ size=”0.5″ align=”left”][/wppa]The evening continues with a shared meal, a call to devotion and prayer, and a time of learning. So what would bring someone to an event like this? Is it the learning, is it because the church requires attendance, or is it the networking and social interaction? God created us to be in community with each other and there is encouragement and comfort knowing that we are not alone in Kingdom work. We learn from each others’ experiences and just enjoy being in the presence of God through His people. How would God not be pleased when His people gather, share, worship, encourage and laugh with one another? Is this what you have experienced when you have attended LTE? If being in each other’s presence brings so much joy, how well are we doing in our individual churches intentionally creating space to share life together?The evening draws to a close, people leave often tired but reflective; excited but unsure of how to use what was heard in their own church environment. What would cause a person to return next year? Is it the learning or is it the feeling of enjoyment and excitement throughout the evening.
The quietness felt earlier returns with every person who leaves. We stand together in the stillness and hope and pray that those who came left with a renewed excitement to serve, feeling a little more equipped as a leader and having experienced the undying love of God through the Christian community. And that through these experiences God would nudge each person in an unstoppable way to share that same love with the people He puts in our path both as a ministry leader and as a brother or sister in Christ in our everyday life.
For those who attended, we hope you were blessed.
Those who were unable to attend, we look forward to connecting with you next year. Plans begin soon for LTE 2014! We welcome any input from you.
God bless you as you serve Him daily.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
